In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court has granted bail to Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in both the CBI and ED cases related to the controversial Delhi Excise Liquor Policy. The decision, delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, overturned earlier rulings by the Trial Court and the Delhi High Court, which had denied Sisodia bail.
The Supreme Court criticized the lower courts’ findings, pointing out that the delays in the trial were unfairly attributed to Sisodia. The court emphasized that bail should not be denied as a form of punishment and highlighted the importance of the right to a speedy trial, which Sisodia had been deprived of.
Sisodia, who has been under arrest since February 26, 2023, was accused of manipulating the excise policy to benefit certain cartels and monopolies within Delhi’s liquor trade. The investigation is still ongoing, and Sisodia has been ordered to surrender his passport and report to the Investigating Officer every Monday.
This ruling comes after multiple legal setbacks for Sisodia, who had previously been denied bail by the Rouse Avenue District Court and the Delhi High Court. The Supreme Court’s decision marks a critical development in the ongoing case, providing Sisodia with some relief as he continues to face serious allegations under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
